Question about the air vents and the pressure used

[Country4ever]

Hi all,
I use a Swift nasal pillow. It has those holes across it that air comes out of all the time. I don't quite understand the function of those. And how is the pressure changed, in order to have all that air blowing out of there all the time. Also, when we inhale, how does that change the air going out of those holes? (sorry if I get a little anal about understanding this!)

[tuna]

Those holes are there to vent the excessive C02..

[Bookbear]

The holes are essential for exhausting the CO2 you exhale. Since the holes must be there, at least some of the air that is pumped by the cpap is lost out of them...this is called the 'vent rate', and your cpap is designed to compensate for the 'lost' pressure of the vent rate.

If there were no vent holes, you would constant re-breathe your exhaled air, and soon suffocate.

Some masks have a built in 'flap valve' that closes off the vents when you inhale, and opens when you exhale. The Swift does not, so the vent holes will be exhausting air all the time, i.e. you will feel air coming out of them all the time. This is normal, and the machine compensates for it.

[Country4ever]

Thanks Tuna and Bookbear,
I wonder if there is a nasal pillow that has the other system? I guess the noise coming from there bothers me the most. Don't worry though, I won't plug them up.

[RobertinTX]

BookBear,

Which mask have the exhast flap you mentioned ?
I'd really be interested in seeing one ..
Thanks

[Bookbear]

Sorry, I can't tell you specific models. Perhaps others can cite specifics. I know the Ultra Mirage Full Face uses such a flap. It's just a thin piece of silicon, passive in action. No mechanics. The force of your inhalation or exhalation operates it. It's function is to allow you to breathe air should the cpap fail to function. while you are asleep (power failure, for example). It would only be found on a full face mask. It would not be needed on a nasal only mask, such as the Breeze or the Swift, because you would naturally open your mouth to breathe in that case.

[DreamStalker]

Yep as Bookbear stated, the safety valve is for full face mask interfaces. As for quiet nasal pillow interfaces, I found the Opus to be the quietest followed by the Breeze. Keep in mind that the sound of rushing air gets louder if you partially obstruct the flow with bed pillow or sheets ... so keep the vent flow in front of the mask free of obstacles to minimize the sound/noise.

[tillymarigold]

The people who have said only the full-face masks have that sort of vent are correct. Actually FF masks have both: the holes that vent all the time, plus another larger hole that is covered when the machine is on but flaps open if it shuts off (the one on the Hybrid is located in the swivel, not the mask shell, so the patient's breathing has no effect on it, the only thing that matters is if the machine is on or off). This is to prevent suffocation in the case of losing power. It's not necessary with a nasal or pillows mask, because if the airflow shuts off, you can just start breathing through your mouth.

The Optilife is the quietest mask I have used (it's definitely much quieter than the original Swift although I haven't tried the Swift II) and also the exhaust is the gentlest. It's the only one that my husband will let me lie facing him while wearing! Otherwise he makes me roll over so my mask doesn't blow on him.

Country4ever, for the first 3-4 months I was on CPAP, I always fell asleep with the TV or radio on (with a sleep timer to make it turn off after 30 minutes). That was enough to drown out the noise of both the mask and machine. You could also use a window fan, but at least here, it's downright cold at night, so we've stopped using ours. But now I'm used to the sound of the mask and machine so the noise doesn't bother me anymore. (DreamStalker was right btw, blocking the vents will make the sound louder, so make sure to keep them clear. This is hard for me in the winter because I like to pull the blankets up around my face and it's hard to do that without covering the vent on my Optilife (easier on the Hybrid since the vent is higher up on my face).

[Country4ever]

Thanks Tilly,

The only time the sound bothers me is when I'm trying to listen to the frogs and the katydids outside.

[tillymarigold]

Thanks Tilly,

The only time the sound bothers me is when I'm trying to listen to the frogs and the katydids outside.

For that, I suspect you'll just have to get used to it. Sorry. We all have to sacrifice.

[Perchancetodream]

Did you know that you may be able to qualilfy for a free Bravo mask? If you are using the Swift II you can accept the Product Challenge and try the Bravo mask to see if it is any better.

Just click on the banner ad at the top of the page, or the words "Product Challenge" between the FAQ and Ask Question for more information.

Good luck,
Susan

[RosemaryB]

[quote="Country4ever"]Thanks Tuna and Bookbear,
I wonder if there is a nasal pillow that has the other system? I guess the noise coming from there bothers me the most. Don't worry though, I won't plug them up.

[Country4ever]

Thanks Tilly, Susan and Rose,
I guess I could always take my machine out and lay next to the watergarden!
I'm using the Swift I. Darn, I just ordered the same thing. I finally met my horrendously high insurance deductible, and called and got everything replaced (stocking up). I'll have to wait another 6 months I think, to get a different style, unless I wanted to pay for it out of pocket. Hey.....maybe I could just return it unused?
How is the Swift II any different? Actually, I'm pretty happy with the Swift I, so maybe I shouldn't change?